NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 380, 14 June 1928, Page 15

NEW REGENT

TWO FEATURES TO-MORROW

The uproarious Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton comedy, “Wife Savers,” will be shown at the New Regent Theatre for the last time this evening.

Beginning to-morrow, the New Regent will present a double-feature programme, Richard Bix in “The Gay Befender,” and Esther Ralston in “Love and Learn.”

In “Love and Learn,” the story concerns the efforts of Miss Ralston to get to prison! Miss Ralston, or “Nancy Blake,” the chic young daughter who finds her parents on the verge of divorce when she comes home from boarding school, took that extreme measure to give her parents something to worry about, with the hope that the resulting worry would take all thought of such action out of the minds of her elders.

Jus how she landed in gaol, however, was only after she had to resort to the shooting up of a court room, which was presided over by a dignified young judge (played by Lane Chandler), who has political ambitions. A series of amusing incidents are brought about following her stay behind the bars.

The picture does not have a single drag moment, and Miss RaJston is supported by an excellent cast. Heroic, romantic exploits of the bandit, Joaquin Murrieta, early California’s most dominant figure, supply the basis for Richard Bix’s new picture, “The Gay Befender.” Bix appears as Joaquin Murrieta, a young Mexican don, who, when lawless Americanos invade his gold-laden land, endeavours to keep his hacienda, protect his retainers, and win the love of a gorgeous girl. How he does all this represents what is thought to be the finest product that Bix has yet produced.

Thelma Todd is given her biggest opportunity to date as Joaquin’s Yankee sweetheart. Fred Kohler, harder than ever, comes along with another great characterisation as the villain. A full supporting programme will also be presented and the musical side will be well cared for by Leslie V. Harvie at the Wurlitzer, and the Regent Operatic Orchestra under Arthur G. Frost.